Senior Operational Risk Specialist

Hours:

Full time, permanent

Closing Date:

Fri, 2 Oct 2026

Job introduction

Join us at the heart of managing and strengthening the Society's operational risk framework. In this role, you'll provide expert second line oversight, challenge and assurance across key areas of operational risk. You'll work closely with stakeholders across the business to deliver valuable insight, influence risk based decision making, and help ensure robust controls are in place to support the Society's long term success.

What You’ll Do

As a Senior Operations Risk Specialist, your key responsibilities will include:

• Act as a trusted operational risk partner, offering expert guidance and constructive challenge to stakeholders across the business.

• Deliver risk based reviews and assurance activities to assess the effectiveness of risk management frameworks and controls.

• Produce insightful risk reporting and analysis, identifying emerging risks, key themes and opportunities for improvement.

• Provide second line oversight, challenge and assurance across the operational risk landscape, from technology to People risk.

• Support the continuous enhancement of the operational risk framework, governance processes and risk management practices across the Society.

What You’ll Need

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Experience in Risk, Compliance, Audit or Control functions within a regulated environment, with knowledge of operational risk frameworks and governance.

• Strong understanding of the operational risk taxonomy, including relevant regulatory expectations.

• Proven ability to deliver risk analysis, reporting, assurance reviews and control assessments that provide meaningful insight.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and provide constructive challenge at all levels.

• Strong analytical and organisational skills, with a collaborative approach, sound judgement and a focus on continuous improvement.

What’s In It For You

Your work matters.

And the way we reward you matters, too.

At Skipton, we offer pay and benefits that really do make life better, together with a genuine thank you for making a difference.

• Annual discretionary bonus scheme

• 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a max of 30 days

• Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)

• Colleague Mortgages and access to Skipton products and services at discounted rates

• Flexible working to help balance your commitments

• Private medical insurance, health and wellbeing app, volunteering opportunities, cycle-to-work scheme, discounted gym memberships          

• Lifestyle perks such as a Home and Tech voucher, which can be used at John Lewis, Currys, and IKEA

We’re here to make life better for our members.
About Skipton.

Our story began in 1853 in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Today, you’ll find us across England and Scotland, from Aberdeen to Plymouth.

We help over a million members put down roots, save for what matters, and feel good about their money. As a mutual, they own us, so everything we do is for them. You'll feel that same fairness and purpose in how all 2,500 of our colleagues work together, too

It all means that life at Skipton is more exciting than you imagine.

What it's like to work here
Life at Skipton

We talk and we listen to each other. And we make decisions as a team. That way, you get all the support you need to do work that works for everyone.

For most of our roles there's the option of blended working, which means we mix working from home and meeting in person, with three days a week in our Skipton office.

We also value what everyone brings to Skipton. And we create a fair place where you can be yourself. Our colleague networks play a big role in this. They connect people with similar life experiences and make our workplace warm, friendly, inclusive and welcoming.

It’s not just our members who are important to us.
You are, too.

Lots of organisations talk about wellbeing, but they don’t always back it up. As a mutual, we put people first. And that includes the people who work here. So, when we say we care about your wellbeing, we mean it.

Wellbeing isn't just one thing. It’s about feeling good, having energy, and being able to be yourself and perform at your best. That’s why we offer help for your mental and physical health across five key areas. 

What’s more, it’s help that you can actually use too - not just read about.

Sounds like you? Then apply now.

You don't need to tick every box - we look for people who care about our members and who want to grow at the same time. The rest can follow.